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$8,226

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Using the same technology behind the Oculus Rift, producers Erin Fleming, Tony Williams, and Inger Tudor are partnering with Neil Smith, Chief Visionary Officer of Rift Valley Studios, to immerse students in scenes from Shakespeare's plays.

Filmed entirely with a talented group of actors and a 6 camera go pro rigging, these stories will allow views to experience the works of Shakespeare first hand through the world of virtual reality.

We view the gaming world as an innovative and educational tool. By incorporating the latest advances in virtual reality, we aim to reinvent the way children learn about literary art by immersing them within the literary world itself. Our primary goal is to educate and inspire future generations in a way that has never been done before, but the possibilities are limitless.

Our plan is to make this program available, not only for high schools and universities across the United States, but across the world. In order to do that we need to complete the first episode of Shakespeare In The Sphere, a stepping stone in this artistic endeavor.

We would love for you to join us as supporters of an upcoming revolutionary and educational phenomenon.

Throughout time, mankind has developed more intricate ways of escaping the harshness that reality sometimes presents and passing down the fundamental truths of our existence. From verbal storytelling and intricate paintings to stage performances and film, each era has has used knowledge to create more immersive ways of sharing tales that draw us in and leave an impact upon our lives. Virtual reality is simply the next step in the evolution of entertainment and storytelling.

With these presentations, countless people will be able to intimately experience the characters and environments that Shakespeare created. Where as other mediums such as books and film require the individual to be an outside observer, the latest advances in technology will allow the viewer to become immersed within the works themselves.

Shakespeare’s plays and characters are as alive today as they were when he originally created them 4 centuries ago. His works are required reading for many high school English students as well college students who are studying literature. His plays have been translated into countless languages and recreated through various mediums so that people may continue to experience his work on the page, on the stage, or on the screen. Full of political intrigue and human complexity, Shakespeare’s words establish a connection between the student and language. He is the first writer to give us psychological insight into the human mind. He spoke of our needs, desires, love, intentions, complexities and unique attitudes towards life. A master of language, he teaches us about communication as an art form.

The Kickstarter goal of $8,000 will be dedicated towards filming a 9-page scene from Othello using the Virtual Reality equipment and software.

The result will serve as the pilot film of Shakespeare In The Sphere, an introductory experience that will grant teachers, schools, and countless educational organizations the opportunity to see the quality of the acting as well as understand how immersive the virtual reality experience can be. Selected to be only the first of many scenes to be developed, the Shakespeare In The Sphere production team aims to cooperate and find a means to incorporate these virtual reality works of art into the standard literature curriculum.

If we manage to raise more than $8,000, those funds will be dedicated towards the creation of the additional Shakespearean Scenes.

Instead of merely observing, students can be participants as the action takes place all around them and they can experience the twist and turns of Shakespeare’s plots unfolding from the same vantage point as any of his main characters.

Imagine standing in the middle of the three witches from Macbeth as they whirl around you, hurling spells to the right and left of you, while eye of newt and toe of frog whiz past your nose and into their cauldron! These short films will feature a diverse cast of actors and can be shown in high school and college literature classes and assemblies. Our troupe of actors will be available for discussions and talkbacks so they can interact with students and share their experiences filming in virtual reality and speak about the richness and complexities of Shakespeare’s plots and characters. In this way, we hope to bring a fresh perspective to art and literature in education and to foster progressive methods for keeping it in the schools and keeping it exciting for today’s teenagers.

The Shakespeare In The Sphere production team has compiled a list of varying rewards that should appeal to lovers of Shakespeare and supporters of the arts alike.

As we are appreciative of everyone who is willing to donate funds to support this educational and artistic endeavor, anyone who donates at least $5 will be publicly thanked on our social media accounts.

For those who wish to donate large amounts to the campaign, we’ve compiled a variety of unique rewards including Shakespeare In The Sphere T-shirts, autographed posters, and special thanks within the credits of the virtual reality film itself.

If you are connected to an organization or an educational branch that would love to bring this revolutionary experience to a group of students, then we have an amazing offer for you.

For $50,000, Neil Smith, Chief Visionary Officer at Rift Valley Studios, along with the Shakespeare In The Sphere production team will provide you with a unique and unforgettable experience. The team will attend the high school or college of your choice and conduct an in-depth educational workshop on the viability and process of virtual reality. All of the participating students will then be granted the opportunity to work alongside the production team in order to create a virtual reality film. All of the required equipment will be provided by the production team and no additional costs will be issued to the recipients. This offer is limited to high schools and colleges within the United States. The production team will be available for travel beginning February 2016.

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Cast & Crew

Coming Soon! Our first 360 video discussing the concept of Shakespeare in the Sphere

Risks and challenges

The Shakespeare In The Sphere production team is a group of trained professionals within their respective fields. However, the process of casting, filming, editing, and compiling the film itself is quite daunting. An undertaking of this nature has not been attempted before.

We have limited our rewards to things that we can provide to supporters with relative ease. We also intend to keep supporters informed on our progress with regular production updates. Select items, such as posters and T-shirts, are already being designed now to limit any potential delays and digital rewards are also being established in advance of even the first performance rehearsal.

Kickstarter is not a store.

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The Associate Producer:
The Personal Thanks + The S.I.T.S. production team will give you Associate Producer credit and send you an exclusive Shakespeare In The Sphere present Othello Associate Producer T-shirt.